Paul Pulley, who served in the state House for eight from 1979 until 1986 representing Durham died Sunday at age 77.

Pulley was an influential Democratic lawmaker and after retiring from the General Assembly became a lobbyist for the Academy of Trial Lawyers and they North Carolina Community College System. He formed the law firm of Pulley Watson King & Lischer.

While in the legislature, Pulley served as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and was usually rated as among the more influential members of the legislature